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What Is an Ulnar Claw?

Dan Harkins
Dan Harkins

An ulnar claw is the result of extreme trauma or damage to the ulnar nerve, which runs from the shoulder to the hand. For the thumb and first half of the hand, the median nerve is responsible for movement and sensation; the ulnar nerve is in charge of the final few fingers. As the injury goes untreated, the ring and pinky fingers will become difficult to extend, giving the hand the appearance of a primitive claw.

Damage can occur to the ulnar nerve in a variety of ways. According to the New York Times' online Health Guide, this claw and associated palsy is an extreme result of peripheral neuropathy. This is damage to the ulnar nerve from injury or even from subtle causes like habitually leaning on the elbows or flat on the palms. In this location of the arm, the ulnar nerve is particularly exposed to long-term wear and tear. These slow-developing latter causes are more likely to reveal themselves not with an ulnar claw, but with numb, weak and tingly fingers.

Untreated damage of the ulnar nerve may result in the inability to extend the ring and pinky fingers.
Untreated damage of the ulnar nerve may result in the inability to extend the ring and pinky fingers.

In infants, this damage may be the result of Klumpke paralysis. Also known as brachial palsy, this condition is caused by injury to the brachial plexus shoulder nerves during or after birth. This will reveal itself in not just an ulnar claw, but in complete inactivity of a hand or even the whole arm. The claw may or may not be among the symptoms though, as the arm and hand are just as likely to be completely limp as they are to be unnaturally contracting.

Ulnaw claw is more common among smokers than non-smokers.
Ulnaw claw is more common among smokers than non-smokers.

In most cases, doctors will take a multifaceted approach to treating an ulnar claw. Steroid injections and pain medication may relieve inflammation in the short term. A splint might contain the injury causing the nerve damage. Surgical intervention also may be part of the treatment, to remove the cause of the injury and even to repair the damaged nerve. With or without surgery, physical therapy may also be part of the response.

Physical therapy is likely to be part of the treatment for an ulnar claw.
Physical therapy is likely to be part of the treatment for an ulnar claw.

Surgical intervention is perhaps the only way to relieve the symptoms of another condition, called Dupuytren’s contracture, which might reveal itself in an ulnar claw. This rare formation of tissue in the palm restricts nerve activity and eventually the proper use of the fingers. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, this condition most often strikes smokers, alcoholics and those with diabetes. As the palm-side growth takes up more and more space, the apparent claw will become more pronounced and the fingers more painful to fully extend.

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    • Untreated damage of the ulnar nerve may result in the inability to extend the ring and pinky fingers.
      By: Simone van den Berg
      Untreated damage of the ulnar nerve may result in the inability to extend the ring and pinky fingers.
    • Ulnaw claw is more common among smokers than non-smokers.
      By: soup studio
      Ulnaw claw is more common among smokers than non-smokers.
    • Physical therapy is likely to be part of the treatment for an ulnar claw.
      By: WavebreakMediaMicro
      Physical therapy is likely to be part of the treatment for an ulnar claw.
    • Patients with claw hand typically have bent or curved fingers.
      By: praisaeng
      Patients with claw hand typically have bent or curved fingers.
    • Damage to the ulnar nerve may require surgical intervention.
      By: Tyler Olson
      Damage to the ulnar nerve may require surgical intervention.
    • An ulnar claw is the result of extreme trauma or damage to the ulnar nerve.
      By: 7activestudio
      An ulnar claw is the result of extreme trauma or damage to the ulnar nerve.